LOST WEEKEND: "Evermore"

Rating: RRR
Label: AOR Heaven 2013
Review by Kimmo Toivonen

UK AOR band Lost Weekend have been a bit "lost" to me since their third album "New Religion" some ten years ago. They've released a couple of albums inbetween, but I haven't heard them, and apparently the band was on "ice" for a couple years. I guess now the weekend's over, and the guys are back at work again. Manic Monday...

According to the bio the band ventured into a heavier territory a few years ago, but they've found their way back to the AOR land since then. "Evermore" is definitely a full-on AOR album with plenty of keyboards and sweet melodies, it's never particulary heavy despite the two guitarists in the band.

Most of the tracks on the album fall into the category of "nice AOR songs", easy on the ear yet lacking that punch to make them stand out. "Be Who You Wanna Be" and "Ain't No Friend Of Mine" are my favourites among them, while "Love Will Find You" and the modern-day Bon Jovi-like "Perfect Day" don't work that well. Still, they aren't too bad either...

After repeated playing, two tracks rise above the others, and they are both on the balladic side of things. "Falling By The Wayside" is a very nice ballad, but even better is "Angel Sublime". This might just be the band's finest song so far, a very touching semi-ballad with a bit of a Magnum-vibe. No wonder the band wrote Magnum-singer Bob Catley's "Spirit Of Man" album some years ago...

Because of the two aforementioned songs, the fourth "R" wasn't far away. Maybe a killer uptempo track would have tipped the scales...
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CHASING VIOLETS: "Jade Hearts"

Rating: RRR
 Label: AOR Records 2013
Review by Kimmo Toivonen

The lovely Fontaine sisters Melissa and Sarah are already following up their debut album with their second effort "Jade Hearts". According to their website this album represents their rockier side. Well, it might have a little bit more bite than the first one but basically it's more of the same. To the fans of the debut that's good news I guess, but for us who weren't totally won over by it this new album is unlikely to change things too much.

Producer/songwriter Fredric Slama hasn't tried to change the formula that was used on the first album, except for the fact that there are no ballads included. There are some guest vocalists dueting with the girls (Göran Edman, Bob Harris and Mikael Erlandsson) and top AOR session guys like Tommy Denander and Eric Ragno provide some of the instrumentation, just like on the first album. And just like on the first album, Slama's songs are melodic and nice, even though some of his lyrics and vocal melodies still sound disturbingly clumsy to my ears. There's just too many words! The production sounds slightly better than on the first album, but at times it's a bit sterile.

The first few songs are among my favourites, especially "Web Of Lies" and the title track, but towards the end the quality starts to fall. Take "The Scarlet Nymph" for example - I don't know if the idea was to have a bit of a quirky Stevie Nicks-vibe in the chorus, but it doesn't work at all. The raspy vibrato sounds just out of tune and out of place and the wailing backing vocal adlibs don't help either.

Some of things I've written above might sound a bit negative, but in the end there's quite a lot to like here: the girls have nice voices, the songs are mostly quite good and I like the harder-edged, more uptempo style. I won't rate it over the debut but it's not weaker either. Now let's see whether these songs pop up on Slama's next AOR (the band) release...
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EDENBRIDGE: "The Bonding"

Rating: RRRR
Label: SPV/Steamhammer 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

This was a much anticipated album and one which I hoped wouldn't disappoint like so many others which promised us the full orchestra treatment. Indeed, "The Bonding" holds the symphonic metal pieces together with the help from approx: 60 professional musicians from the Orchestra Klangvereinigung of Vienna. The arrangements and orchestral score by Lanvall takes on a dramatic figure/persona without going completely overboard and over-the-top. However, it's a grand part of the story and thus blending nicely together with the melodies of Edenbridge' and the soaring voice of Sabine Edelsbacher.

Did it disappoint? At first spin... slightly. Not exactly instantly catchy. You certainly need to spin this on several occasion to really get the full picture. I don't believe you're supposed to get the message at first spin anyhow. Too many layers and too much detail work, consisting of everything from the naughty french horn section to the rather impressive background vocals and choirs by dutch cult legend musician Robby Valentine (the bastard son of Freddy Mercury and Mozart).

The entire album becomes based around passion, emotion, and grief, where "Death Is Not The End" stand out as the winning concept. "Star-Crossed Dreamer" and "Far Out Of Reach", it's like if you're listening to Edenbridge' answer to one of those Dream Theatre semi-ballads of the early nineties. Actually, the lead guitar work of Lanvall (tone, amp sound) may at times remind you of John Petrucci. The epic closing title track as well as the duet between Sabine and Eric Martensson (Eclipse, and several other projects at Frontiers) culminates in pure symphonic metal mayhem. Melodic, bombastic, and very posh - the true definition of Edenbridge in the year of 2013. Highly Recommended.
http://www.edenbridge.org
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FUCHSIA: "II"

Rating: RRR
Label: PrescriptionPR/Sound Pratices 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Are you fed up waiting for your favorite act to release their brand new record? Has it been... 2, 3, 4 years already? Pathetic. You're all pathetic! The poor (and by now mostly dead of old age) fanbase of Fuchsia are literally pissing themselves after nearly 42 years!! That's right... it's merely been four decades since last they could sit back, relax, and enjoy some new music.

Christ oh mighty. Imagine all the music styles and sound technology created and invented ever since and then just as quickly remove the thought out of yer head. Why? Simply because "II" sound like it was still the very early seventies or the late sixties for that matter. FUCHSIA is the cult U.K. progressive folk rock act which debut album was recently listed in Mojo as the forgotten classic? Progressive only up to a certain point in time as they've hardly "progressed" during the last four decades. I'm not taking the piss though (sort of but not really), since it's a mighty decent, laid-back, prog-folk-rock album with plenty of fantasy and psychedelia influences.

The songs by band leader Tony Durant (Vocals/Guitar) are definitely the result and children of the original psychedlic prog/folk rock revolution. Durant really sounds as if he's enjoying life and the vocals are sort of typical for its era. Softly spoken at times and rather dramatic laid-back the other. He's definitely not the shouter and a song like, "Crossing The Big C", could have been the work of George Harrison during the same period (1970-73). Otherwise true to the old guard and contemporaries such as Jade. Look no further if you're into laid-back folk/prog of the very early seventies...

http://www.fuchsiamusic.com

VICTORIUS: "The Awakening"

Rating: RRR
Label: SPV/Steamhammer 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Victorius - underground metal heores from Germany and just recently signed to SPV/Steamhammer. This young up and coming five-piece are out to cause an wave of positivity and melody. Opening track, "Age Of Tyranny", breaks the speed of light with rather typical but oh-so catchy melodic power metal. "Starfire", the following title track, "The Awakening", and "Land Of Hope", shockfull of melodies and hooks in the vein of the first couple of albums with AXXIS. Very catchy and bombastic stuff and so bright I had to wear me shades while listening to these numbers. You could literally hear them shouting... 'Bono you tw@'.

Forget about the insane pace of Dragonforce etc. since these lads has gone back to basic and produced a very melodic affair in the tradition of Axxis, Scanner, (early) Pretty Maids, and even some of the speedy work by Blind Guardian/Helloween. Add to this crystal clear and high soaring vocals and not to mention flashy guitar work by the two six-string benders (Dirk and Steven) and you're in for a small melodic metal treat. I'm however not too keen on the rather typical galloping German Power Metal tunes as of lately. Mostly speaking of "Demon Legions" and "Through The Dead Lands", since both are sadly the major deja vú experience. The clichés are furiously flying across the room as you pick up the occasional lyric of ancient gates, hellfire, and any old fantasy role playing game really.

Final verdict: The pure melodic tracks are top notch. The galloping ones are not. Overall not bad at all.

MASTERPLAN: "Novum Initium"

Rating: RRR
Label: AFM Records 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Novum Initium - latin for 'a new beginning'. So are they Jorn again? Nope, the Norwegian is nowhere to be found. He's been in and out of the band several times already... but I believe he's gone for good? Frankly I do not know nor do I care for that matter. I do however know that former RIOT vocalist Mike DiMeo is nowhere to be found either and instead we get Rick Altzi from fellow German act 'At Vance' to perform behind the microphone. Smooth is hardly the correct vocal description, however, a little thing like raspy whiskey flavor quite clearly does nothing to halt his enthusiasm for singing the melodic power metal.

Founder/guitarist and almighty leader Roland Grapow (Helloween) plays his guitar with metalized virtousity that mixes teutonic rock and galloping classical elements in an impressive style. The flashy solos and at times overlong notes gets you in the heart everytime. The actual tracks leave much to ask for this time and they tend to drift along in an aimless stream of clichés and melodies of the past. It's not their best album by far and I believe we've heard a majority of these melodies before and better performed by the band for that matter. "Keep Your Dream Alive" is no doubt the safe and sturdy rocker without ever hitting the nerve. Don't get me wrong, it's nice... but hardly the masterplan.
http://www.masterplan-theband.com

MEROE: "Sick Society"

Rating: RR
Label: Indie 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Ick! The opening track, "Wild Temptation", such a major mistake in my humble opinion and thus why the "Sick Society" nearly went straight to the bin. Meroe should definitely thank us for feeling extra generous and kind this evening, since we decided to look past and beyond that awful opener and play their entire CD. Only kidding of course... yours truly would never do this to any band/musician since we always listen to your material on dozen of spins. In fact, I can't even remember the last time I played any full CD beside the stuff I review.

But seriously, the song is bloody awful. Then again things could only get better and it sort of did. But kindly remember that your first track could at times be the real deal-breaker. Not to mention that a real, proper friend of the band would have told them to ditch the song prior to entering the recording studio. Decent to mediocre stuff. The whole doesn't quite hang together convincingly. The group set about kicking major butt, but (no pun intended), to quote the average UK pub poet: 'it's all fart and no poo'. The press-sheet kindly inform us that SS is 'chock full on songs that re-define the eighties hardrock era to it's fullest extent'. I'd say they fall just a tad short on the high standards they've set themselves.

PLAYER: "Too Many Reasons"

Rating: RRR
Label: Frontiers 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

To make a long story short - Player - basically HALL & OATES - minus the R&B. PLAYER - the even whiter version of white man's version of soul music. Picture the smokey bar, soft and fluffy pillows, the occasional guitar - Big city neon lights and laid-back westcoast summer nights. The very definition of Yatch Music? Does it scream of David Foster. Say hello to my little friend - Mr. Smooth! I can't say that I ever watched any episode of 'The Bold And The Beautiful' since it's some kind of awful daytime soap opera. Appearantly the main PLAYER of the band (Ronn Moss - vocals/bass) better known as Ridge Forrester to daytime viewers. That's clearly not the main point and issue though. A couple of tracks on display. "I Will", proper soft-rock in the vein of latter days Hall & Oates. The refrain to, "The Sins Of Yesterday", will remind you of ALL-4-1 and their 1994 mega-hit, "I'll Swear", which has one of the best soft-rock lines ever (I swear by the moon and the stars in the sky - I'll be there) and obviously the work of Mr. westcoast producer himself aka David Foster. Let's face it, the verse simply reeks of Hall & Oates and why not give 1980's U.K. musician Paul Young a call too. Final verdict: ultra soft-rock and proper craftsmanship from opener "Man On Fire" to the closer of the remake of their late seventies hit "Baby Come Back". Too Many Reasons - never dull, never truly satisfying.

http://www.player-theband.com

LAWLESS - “Rock Savage”

Escape Music 2013
Review by: Alan Holloway
Rating: RRRR

Well, talk about ‘death to all but metal’! Lawless are a new band featuring Neil Ogden and Paul Hume from Demon, plus Persian Risk guitarist Howie G and Headrush bassist Josh Williams. As you might expect from the Demon twosome, it’s pretty straightforward hard rock that takes no prisoners and spouts clichés like they’re going out of fashion. I can’t swear to this, but I expect they wear studded wristbands as well.

When I scanned the tracklisting, I wasn’t filled with a yearning to listen to this one. Titles like ‘Heavy Metal Heaven’, ‘Rock n Roll City’  and the album closer ‘Metal Time’ don’t scream quality in 2013, but as I still listen to my old Saxon and Manowar albums I can’t really complain. Lawless, you see, are unashamedly retro in their approach to heavy metal. I say Heavy Metal, but whereas this would have been classed as such in 1982, nowadays it’s just hard rock. Ain’t time a funny thing…

As you can see from the rating, I certainly wasn’t disappointed by ‘Rock Savage’, as for an old school metal fan it’s very hard to dislike. It’s well produced, very melodic and crammed full of big riffs and sweet solos from Howie G. Hume’s vocals are ideally suited to the style of music, and whilst he isn’t an outstanding vocalist he gets the job done without grunting or screaming, and that’ll do for me. The tracks are all catchy and well played, although a few are certainly rarher, shall we say, tacky. ‘Step In’, for example has the refrain ‘Step in, girls in the house say woah, boys in the house say woah, we all say woah oh oah’. The biggest problem for me is that it’s really catchy, and I was singing along during my first playthrough! I didn’t want to, because I’m all grown up and a journalist and all that, but I did anyway because it was fun.

‘Fun’ is a good way to sum up Lawless’s first effort. Aside from the deep and meaningful ‘Where Heroes Fall’ it’s all a bit of a laugh, but one that you are happy to join in with. It’s all much less metal that the cover would indicate, and this is suitable for anyone who wants a bit of no nonsense hard rock with oodles of melody thrown in. Retro it may well be, ‘Rock Savage’ is far, far better than it has any right to be.

Official Website: Your guess is as good as ours.

GERRY LAFFY: "Just A Little Blurred" vs. GIRL: "Live"

Rating: RRR
Label: Die Laughing Records 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom 

Two for a fiver! Two for a fiver? Awww... it's a nice bargain no matter what. The former GIRL (now a man) guitarist Gerry Laffy offer his latest solo record "Just A Little Blurred", plus the previously unreleased 'Live At The Greyhound Fulham/London 1982' live album with the U.K. cult Glam rockers. Indeed, Laffy was a founding member of the band GIRL (along with his brother Simon) they put out two albums (Sheer Greed 1980 and Wasted Youth 1982) and yeah, the band featured Phil Collen (pre- Def Leppard) and Phil Lewis (LA Guns).

"Just A Little Blurred" (Die Laughing Records) takes the listener on a rollercoaster ride with several ups and downs and eventually a sudden stop at the re-recording of 'My Number'. Do however not expect the material to be all glammy and retro though since it's quite the eclectic mixture of rock, pop, and metal bop. Stylistically speaking it's everything from Bryan Ferry (Roxy Music), The Pretenders of "Karmic Gangster" (possibly even Bowie schlock) to smooth melodic rock (Love) and the instrumental piece. Hardly any booming tracks and the album came about while waiting for go into hospital. Laffy bought a Fostex MR16 track machine and electric drums to kill some time. Made by hand in other words. Written and recorded alone at home and sort of inspired by the visit of a major Girl fan.

The GIRL live album is boot-ish, very raw and honest. The lads bring out all the noise, great inbetween banter, and spanking hard music. "Big Night Out", the traditional fun opener and party starter gets the crowd going and it's all a jolly good time. The vocals of Phil Lewis hits ya' right between the eyes and it's very raw and punky somehow? "Overnight Angels", "Ice In The Blood", "My Number", "Naughty Boy", etc. are criminally underrated numbers. I could do without the lame old sixties stomp of "Nutbush City Limits" though. Have a go at this double feature at the facebook page (link below) and don't forget to check out the paintings and work of the ART-ist Gerry Laffy
http://www.gerrylaffyart.com/
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POWERWORLD: "Cybersteria"

Rating: RRRR
Label: SPV/Steamhammer 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

"The songs on this album are about Cybersteria, a world created by humans to control everyone. This artificial enviroment knows all our secrets. Cybersteria tries to enslave our minds and take control of our lives. Are we slaves to Powerworld? Listen and free your mind". Yep, it's defenitely a current topic considering the USA scandal as of lately and the way that goverments are watching us and every single move we make on the internet, via your iphone, etc. It's no longer a question of hysteria or the delusive rambling of a mad man. The George Orwell future is here. 1984 and big brother is reality and not a fantasy.

So now you know the story behind the concept album. What about the actual music? Wow! What a nice surprise. It's sort of progressive light vs. traditional eighties hardrock. Seventh Wonder goes Jaded Heart? Victory on a night out with the lads from Evergrey? It's a massive appreciation and approval anyhow and such a dramatic upgrade since their latest attempt at world domination. Vocalist Andrew McDermott sadly died the other year (RIP) and David Reece from Accept and Bangalore Choir etc, stepped in and out of the band before they found in permanent replacement in Michael Bormann (Jaded Heart).

In fact, most members are gone with the exception of band leader and main songwriter Ilker Ersin (Freedom Call). No biggie in my opinion especially since everything has improved big time. You have the impressive bluesy vocals by Bormann and the riffing of Andreas Rippelmeier (Heavenward) blending together in sort of perfect harmony. Bormann does his very best to be Coverdale on this record (what? didn't he sound like Bon Jovi in the past?) and the raspy tone send a shiver to your metal spine. There's a hint of proggy, Queenryche-ish, element to the band. Yet other straight forward eighties melodic rock tracks show that this band aren't afraid of diversity. It's very much the album effort without any major downers though. Highly recommended.
http://www.powerworld.org

STATUS QUO: "Bula Quo"

Rating: RR
Label: Fourth Chord/EarMusic 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Same, same... but very different? The geezers are still a rocking in 2013 and that's not too shabby, considering they played their first farewell tour nearly 30 years ago!! Bula Quo is in fact a brand new studio album inspired by the film - comedy road movie coming at you this summer. The smashing... ehem... story is set in Fiji and based around the band. Nine completely new tracks, however, you'll also receive the 10 track greatest hits bonus CD - the soundtrack of the movie. Thus making this a 2-CD release (duh!).

Denim wearing die-hard (dye-hard?) fans may still consider them to be the coolest, boogiest band on the face of planet earth. The rest of us has ever so slightly been over exposed to the slick catering of Caroline and Rockin' All Over The World. What to expect from their latest offering to the gods of denim and boogie? An awful mish-mash of fun tracks, weird tracks, and utterly lame tracks. Some of which they are re-using the old title(s) and riffing. First example, see the rather weak/lack lustre opening number, "Looking Out For Caroline".

The following, "Go Go Go", a huge improval and also quite different from the traditional boogie. Okay, the bridge is typical 12 bar. However, the refrain and overall melody is eighties' catchy and more towards the In The Army album. "Run and Hide" - Quo goes Lemmy? Seriosuly, it's like one of those rather fun blues/boogie tracks by the Motorheads. Weird but not bad at all. "Mystery Island" - awful Beach Boys/Elvis hawaiian madness and the same goes for the title track. Let's not even talk about "Fiji Time"... or the film for that matter.

The bonus disc sees some reworkings and live takes on the old material. Ehem, the bula edit version of Rockin' All Over The World is interesting to say the least. The live numbers of "Caroline" and DOwn Down" - probably the safest cards in the deck. Final verdict: Fun-fun-fun in the sun-sun-sun. Nah, just kidding. Just plain weird actually. A couple of great new tracks though.
http://www.statusquo.co.uk

DEEP PURPLE: "Now What"

Rating: RRRR
Label: EarMusic 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Ka-blaam! There's a mighty roar coming out of my speakers and the distinctive sound of the hammond organ is clearly present throughout the album. Kudos and beyond that to Mr. Don Airey as he capture a lot of the true essence of the band with all that ebony and ivory. I'm however not too keen on the promo sticker which reads 'Perfect Strangers vs. Made in Japan' as it reeks of lack of respect and credibility. It's basically not true since it more towards the formula of Purpendicular only slightly more hammond.

Nontheless, Purple are certainly no nearer leaving their roots that they were 45 years ago. If anything they are now going back to basic, more than ever, but since there are no Blackmore and Lords, things will never sound exactly like 1970 or whatever. The Purple of today consisting of Steve Morse as guitarist play to their strenghts, never attempting to do any more than what they are great at - keeping it real, tight, and very much together.

Produced by sound legend Bob Ezrin (KISS, Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd), it may lack a bit of oomph, but the band keeps pumping out classic hard rock riffs and beats no matter what. A gentle crying guitar and a very soft beginning to "A Simple Song" before it explodes into organ mayhem and those words by Gillan and I quote, "Once you sang a simple song. It all went wrong. Time it does not matter. Time is all we have". We're off to a great start and I'll have to admit, there's a touch of Perfect Strangers and House of Blue Light on this album after all. I believe it's mostly because of the constant use of the hammond and the groovy work of Glover and Paice. Great platter if you don't mind a mix of eighties Purple and Purpendicular.
http://www.deeppurple-nowwhat.com

REBELLIOUS SPIRIT: "Gamble Shot"

Rating: RR
Label: SPV/Steamhammer 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Rebellious Spirit - German youths gone wild or public enemys #1? Neither I'm afraid. They don't quite match up to the description of Sunset Strip heroes. It's however great to see that SPV are singing up young and definitely sleazy acts though. The band members are all in their late teens and it's all about the eighties glamour.

The nasal borderline annoying high pitch singing voice of Jannik Fisher tend to get on your nerves in the long run though. It's like as if he's still waiting for the balls to drop? Then again, Vince Neil made a fine career on the above observation. However, the Motley Crue managed to come up with some truly catchy material and Neil is nowhere near as annoying as the platinum blonde front figure (FYI: I luv the first two Motley albums). It's all very predictible, safe, naive, middle-of-the-road, and the lack of proper hooks on Gamble Shot... plain obvious.

The bottomline: It's really not about the image, style, or the musicians. The songs are simply not good enough. They remind me of Reckless Love, lots of hype, but hardly any good tracks whatsoever. Let's hope they've matured not only in age but also in the songwriting department for their second album. I seriously doubt that SPV is still their label by then. Ahoy Frontiers?
http://www.rebelliousspirit.de

BLACK SABBATH: "13"

Rating: RRRR
Label: Vertigo 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Sabbath-esque? Sabbath-ish? There's no longer need to refer to second rate acts as either really since we're dealing with the originals here. Indeed, if anyone's entitled to sound doomy and plodding as f**k, surely the mad Brommies?? Bang on right - misters and sisters of rock and heavy metal. Ehem, sure, opener, "End of The Beginning", may remind you of the classic "Black Sabbath" tune and, "Zeitgest", surely will have you muttering and thinking about "Planet Caravan". But, and that's a rather big but, Tony Iommi is still the ultimate guitar demon of coming up with those magical riffs and utterly doom(y) chords.

Heck, even Ozzy sort of sounds like Sab-Oz of the past. Well, not quite as many high notes and considering all those years of abuse, not too shabby in the studio, a completely different animal live on stage though. Geezer lays down some serious lines and Brad Wild (Rage Against The Machine) is a decent replacement to Bill Ward. It's all very true to the seventies and "Damaged Soul" is slow, heavy, d-o-o-m metal. The first two Sabbath albums are untouchable and "13" is nowhere near the brillance of Master of Reality and Vol 4. Just as good as Technical Ecstasy and Never Say Die? Sure. Maybe. Why not? Very soild effort and definitely a nice way to complete the circle...

MEGADETH: "Super Collider"

Rating: RR
Label: Tradecraft 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Mustaine is the born again christian (hah!) and "Super Collider" is about as menacing as your christian rock festvial. When the devil gets old, etc. etc. Drugs! We need more drugs? Actually, I do enjoy some of the previous soft metal albums by the two Dave's and company. But let's face it, there hasn't been a really great one since... 'Countdown To Extinction'. It displayed a cleaner sound with plenty of lead guitar and melody, while still supplying those grinding Mega-riffs by the dozen.

This on the other hand display a rather tired, stripped down Mustaine, going-through-the-motion. Heart and soul is replaced by mart and hole, and you know this CD is going to end up at one place or the other. He's never really been a great vocalist, but the pure energy and attitude of the man is what kept Mustaine going like a freight train in the night. Merely a shadow of the angry man on display here. The squeaky voice fit the early/angry material but he's hardly capable to sing the melodic blues. The songs rarely touch upon the class of Mega-past and the album ultimately fails due to a proper lack of strong material. There are a couple of good points and moments (The Beginning Of Sorrow, the rather catchy/glammy Burn, no?), but on the whole, "Super Collider" is super below average.
http://www.megadeth.com

FAIR WARNING: "Sundancer"

Rating: RRRR
Label: SPV/Steamhammer 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

I haven't been too impressed with Fair Warning as of lately. The last couple of albums, two steps back in my opinion. Thus why it's nice to witness that "Sundancer" is a step forward in the right direction again. The album takes off with, "Troubled Love", all catchy and fluffy with a just perfect dose of pure eighties synthesisers in the background and singing guitarwork by Helge Engelke. Very positive and fun melodic rock.

"Keep It In The Dark" is up there with their early classics and the melody simply reeks of Rainbow (Blackmore) and Zeno (Roth) influences. The latter, not really such a big surprise after all. Considering that bassist Ule W Ritger is a former band member of the lost brother of Scorpions' Uli - a man obssessed with Jimi Hendrix. "Real Love" goes through every thinkable pose and phrase in the fine tradition of the semi-ballads by Eric Martin and Mr. Big. Extra kudos to Tommy Heart for heart(heh)felt vocals and special message/lyrics by Ritger.

It's a very solid effort without ever reaching the same heights of Four or the debut. As a result, "Sundancer" turns out to be a long way from being the mediocre, half-hearted affair that we've seen from this band as of lately. I could do without a couple or three of the 'groove' tracks and have another bunch of the catchy stuff though.
http://www.fair-warning.de

42 DECIBEL: "Hard Rock N Roll"

Rating: RRR
Label: SPV/Steamhammer 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Viva Diego Maradona! Viva Leo Messi! Viva 42 Decibel? They do have one major thing in common and I'll even throw in the lame hint, it's not football. Argentina, it's friggin' Argentina, geez, do I have to spell it out for you guys? Sorry. Temper, temper. Originality is however not their strong three piece suit and it's more about three chords, jeans, and t-shirt anyhow. Basic, meat and potato, 'Hard Rock N' Roll', in the vein of Acca Dacca, Airbourne, Rose Tattoo, and just about any of the millions of acts at your local pub and bar scene.

What does give it more attention than your average riff-raff, though, is that inbetween guitar sound, slide and rhythm, but it's also got an magnificent ring to it that evokes dusty old echoes of Apache and Little Ceasar. The gravel throted vail of Junior Figueroa smack of traditional vocals 'ala Brian Johnson and Bon Scott. The somewhat effeminate tones and interesting delivery of these two ingredient takes 42 Decibel a notch or two above your local heroes.

The songs are dead easy and simple craft, you know, the likes of which any of us could write in our sleep. I believe that AC/DC (mostly) and Rose Tattoo wrote superial versions of them all back in the seventies. Do I sound slighty jaded? Well, it's difficult to come up with new words to the same old songs. Numbers such as "The Real Deal" and "Drinkin' Margaritas" are fun and I'm sure they'll give your moneys worth live on stage. Not too shabby and a safe pick up if you need another dose of guitar rock thunder from down under.... ehh... Argentina.
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BLACK STAR RIDERS: "All Hell Breaks Loose"

Rating: RR
Label: Nuclear Blast 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Thank God! The royal tw@s finally decided to drop the in my opinion disrespectful name of Thin Lizzy. I can't believe that anyone would let them tour all those years without the proper legend among their ranks (R.I.P. Phil). I can't imagine Motorhead w/o Lemmy or Whitesnake w/o Coverdale either for that matter. The yearly tribute show or whatever, fine. But to have these bozos tour for a decade as Thin Lizzy, unbelievable. By the way, they didn't exactly drop the name. I believe they finally had to change it for legal reason.

I really do enjoy the guitar interaction. Twin-guitar work of highest order and the sound of Lizzy is obviously present throughout the album. But again, the songs are overall truly average, like any half decent pub copycat act. A couple of really superb tracks inbetween the stinkers and the musicians are obviously all top class. But hey, Gorham (and Sykes for that matter), I'd rather have another 21 Guns and Blue Murder album any day of the week, thanks. Weird monicker though since that's exactly what these guys' been doing for the past decade. Riding the fame of a Black Star...

QUEENSRŸCHE: "Queensrÿche"

Rating: RRRR
Label: Century Media 2013
Review by Kimmo Toivonen

I don't know about you, but I hated the previous Queensrÿche album "Dedicated To Chaos". The band was in serious danger of disappearing into obscurity, and I had lost all hope of them releasing anything worth listening ever again. Then the shit hit the fan as they say, and vocalist Geoff Tate and the rest of the band went their separate ways. Then things got interesting - Tate put together his own version of Queensrÿche and even managed to release an album ("Frequency Unknown" - F.U., got it?) before the orginal band. I haven't heard the full album but the reviews have been "mixed"... for what its' worth, the few songs I've heard from "F.U." have been okay, much better than the abysmal "Chaos"...

The original band has wisely chosen not to respond to "F.U.". Instead their new album is just self-titled, as if to show that they're going back to the roots. That's just what they have done, now Queensrÿche sounds again like the band that released "Rage For Order" and "Operation: Mindcrime". The new singer Todd La Torre may sound a lot like Tate, but there's a certain gritty edge to his voice that's very much his own.

Even more important than the vintage sound are the songs, and I'm glad to say that the band has written their most memorable songs in years for this album. Especially the first half of the albums is full of melodic, yet progressive songs with big hooks, somehow reminding me most of the "Rage For Order" album. "Where Dreams Go To Die" and "In This Light" are my favourites. On the second half of the album the band continues on the same path, but the songs aren't quite as catchy as the ones earlier in the tracklisting. Yet there are no "fillers" on this album, this is a very solid release. Granted, there may not be a new "Walk In The Shadows", "I Don't Believe In Love" or "Empire" among the songs, but if you're a fan of vintage 'Rÿche, you're hardly going to be disappointed.

Website

JORN - "Traveller"

RATING: RRR

Frontiers Records 2013

 Review By Alan Holloway




It's metal time again as Norway's Dio worshipping superstar unleashed another album of thundering riffs and powerful vocals. Mr Lande has a pretty solid history in the metal genre and is deservedly respected for his talent and passion. So why don't I love this? Hmmmmm...

Having owned and reviewed several other Jorn albums I am getting to the point where I could review one without actually having to put it on, so fixed is he to his template. Certainly, there's some strong songs here, notably opener "Overload" and the upbeat "Widow Maker". Unsurprisingly there's a couple if Dio referencers in the lumpen, self explanatory "Cancer Demon" and album closer "The man Who Would Be King" which calls our man "The Jesus of heavy metal" and made me squirt tea out of my nose the first time I heard it. Oh, and it's not very good, either, another slow, grinding track that isn't a patch on Jorn's previous Dio tribute"Song For Ronnie James".

In essence, Jorn has the same trouble as his diminutive (sorry, that word has to be used in any feature or review that mentions Dio - it's journalistic law) hero, in that when he gets a wriggle on he's bloody good, but the slower songs are like swimming in treacle at times. If this aspect of Jorn doesn't worry you then you will probably be more impressed by "Traveller" than me. Even so, there is nothing here that brings anything to teh table that wasn't already there, and it's due to the strong songs and faultless performances that this has managed to get the 3 Rs. Even so, this will probably be the last time I listen to it.

Official Website: http://www.jornlande.com/